Vermonters in the Civil War

Vermont soldiers in the Civil War wrote an enormous quantity of letters and diaries, of which many thousands have survived in libraries, historical societies, and in private hands. This collection represents a selection of letters and diaries from the University of Vermont and the Vermont Historical Society. The collection includes materials dating from 1861-1865. Materials were selected for digitization to provide a variety of perspectives on events and issues. The voices represented in the collection include private soldiers and officers, as well as a few civilians. All of the extant Civil War-era letters or diaries of each of the selected individuals (at least, all that are to be found in the participating institutions’ collections) are included; each adds a certain experience and point of view to the whole. Officers in the photo above are (from left to right): Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. Stoughton, Colonel Edwin H. Stoughton, Major Harry N. Worthen. All are from the Fourth Vermont Infantry Regiment.

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Showing 591 - 600 of 1339 Records

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

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Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-07-03
Description: Letter discusses guarding a railroad bridge, while the Second Brigade is heading for a big battle (the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3 part of the Gettysburg Campaign). He also mentions that all the officers‚Äô wives were returning home to Vermont.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-07-07
Description: Written in camp in the field, letter discusses local politics back home, warning that they shouldn‚Äôt nominate any Democrats. Reports of a fight involving the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment near Williamsport, casualties, as well as the death of fellow Vermonters. He mentions that Major Wells fought like a ‚Äútiger‚Äù, men is good spirits, reflects on Gen. Lee is being defeated.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-08-29
Description: Short letter remarking that he is once again Division Officer of the Day on Sunday and so won‚Äôt be able to write his usual Sunday letter. Also that all the boys health is improving at the moment because of the cool nights.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-09-21
Description: Thinking ahead to life after the war, the brief letter discusses sending money, gives responsibility for managing it to his father-in-law, Father Beebe. He desires the money to be invested in sheep as he feels the demand for wool will be high. In addition he wishes to have money put into Five-twenties bonds.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1863-10-24
Description: Letter discusses the destruction of the railroad by rebel troops, the location of the Army of the Potomac and how it is being supplied ; the activities of the men as they make winter camp, in addition to the hopes that the efforts won't be wasted. He also writes of the ‚Äúlucky Tenth,‚Äù since none who stayed with the regiment have been wounded or killed.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1864-01-12
Description: Henry writes of returning from leave and finding his ‚Äúlog cabin‚Äù built very snug. He also writes that the weather has been unpleasant and that it is hard adjusting to camp life after being at home. As well he writes that his servant, Johnny, is very pleased with the present he has received from ‚ÄúGrandma Beebe,‚Äù Mary Jane‚Äôs mother.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1864-02-12
Description: Henry writes of his disappointment that his wife was unable to leave Vermont, due to the sickness of their children, and his hopes that she will be able to come down to Virginia soon.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1862-10-13
Description: Expresses big disappointment about preparing for a raid by Confederate General Jeb Stuart that never happened due to a Union military blunder, a pontoon bridge at Edward's Ferry (between Virginia and Maryland), mentions the names of several men regarding sickness in the regiment's companies, sends kisses to his children.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1862-11-30
Description: Heart broken he not with wife for Thanksgiving, Capt. Dillingham rounding up Marylanders for the draft, a report on the health of several members or the regiment, anxious for letters from home.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War

Miniature of William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry

Image

Creator: Henry, William Wirt, 1831-1915.
Date Created: 1861-09-29
Description: September 29, 1861 from Camp Advance, Virginia. Writes of Second Vermont ordered out, casualties due to troop confusion and friendly fire, Munsons Hill, picket duty.
Parent Collections: Vermonters in the Civil War, William Wirt Henry Correspondence

Part of: Vermonters in the Civil War